Under the contract, Ellicott Dredges will design and build a large-scale hydraulic dredge for use by Reclamation’s Yuma Area Office to remove accumulated silt and sediment from backwaters and settling basins along the lower Colorado River near Imperial and Laguna Dams.
“Removal of accumulated sediment from the lower stretches of the Colorado River is an ever present issue and challenge,” said Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor. “Keeping the channel clear of accumulated sediment through regular dredging operations will enhance Reclamation’s ability to provide irrigators along the All-American and Gila Gravity Main canals with reliable water supplies.”
USBR manages the channel, banklines, jetties, wash fans, training structures, gates, bridges, levees, and access roads for the 276 river miles of the lower Colorado River from Davis Dam to the border with Mexico. Maintenance focuses on both reliable water delivery as well as protection from flooding. Accumulated sediment is an ongoing issue, and is periodically removed from settling basins and backwaters through large scale dredging operations.
